Party: Jon Gomm „Secrets Nobody Keeps“ Tour 2015

Party: Jon Gomm „Secrets Nobody Keeps“ Tour 2015

Jon Gomm released his latest album Secrets Nobody Keeps on 25th November 2013, on his own label Performing Chimp Records.

Produced by Whiskas, whose expertise at painting sonic landscapes in the studio and his background (as founder of the legendary DIY label Dance To The Radio and the band Forward Russia), made him the perfect fit musically and business-ethic-wise for the project; Secrets Nobody Keeps was 100% crowd funded in the short space of 4 weeks in a whirlwind PledgeMusic campaign that drew on the power of Jon’s millions of fans and viewers worldwide.

“The success of the PledgeMusic campaign has been so gratifying” enthuses the ever humble Gomm “People tell me I’m too open on social networks, but I lived through all these overwhelming life-changes online, taking support from my friends and fans.” “The last 18 months have been a genuine headf**k. I’d gotten used to my life playing little DIY venues then ‘Passionflower’ went crazy and suddenly I’m on TV, or flying off all over the world, or playing at Union Chapel in London and it’s actually sold out.” The album title itself, ‘Secrets Nobody Keeps’ is a nod to Jon’s gratitude for the power of social networks. Ever since the day a simple one word Tweet from Stephen Fry linking to Jon’s Passionflower video (6 million views and counting) started the snowball rolling on his career, he’s been an advocate of, in his own words, “having that private little moment of discovery on Youtube, then sharing the music everywhere.” Gomm’s list of high profile fans also includes the legendary Eric Clapton, Chaka Khan, Jon Anderson, David Crosby, Tommy Lee, Rod Stewart and Devin Townsend. The record is a thrilling and evocative collection of music without boundaries, an attribute which Jon is keen to emphasise came from the lack of record label involvement, with fan funding giving him complete creative control. Across 10 tracks the album captures the thrilling live energy that comes from his unique combination of haunting, angelic vocals and exquisitely complex and rhythmic finger-style guitar playing. The music is entirely created with Jon's acoustic guitar affectionately known as Wilma, with no other bass, percussion, loops or overdubs used to produce the unique sound of this album. Stand-out tracks include an instrumental tune called ‘Wukan Motorcycle Kid’ written especially for, and debuted in, Beijing on Jon’s recent China tour: “Every night in China I would explain to the audience about the Wukan Uprising of 2011 (when a little town rebelled against the state) and about this brave kid I saw on TV who was riding his scooter around the streets at night, hunting for secret police so he could warn the locals” explains Gomm “It was never reported on Chinese media, so it was kind of awe inspiring to use music to convey such powerful information. Luckily I still got out of the country OK!”

Towards the end of 2012, Gomm found himself on the road constantly, hopping from continent to continent, living in an electrified state of new discoveries and coping with the trappings of fame. A constant theme on the album portrays him struggling with bouts of insomnia and feeling like he was losing his grip on reality. Having battled anxiety and depression himself, one song in particular on the album, ‘There’s No Need To Be Afraid’, is dedicated to anyone else who’s been there too. “I just hit a wall - I was physically and emotionally exhausted. The last 6 weeks of touring were so hard. Hopefully the good that came out of that is the music I was able to find there. Hopefully there’s a communicative force in amongst the catharsis.” The enormous reach of Jon’s music online and his deep personal connection with his fans stands as a testament to the healing, unifying power of music – something which he is keen to share with as many people as possible, and long may it continue.